Theft-prevention device for automobiles.



T. w. MCNALLY, 1R. THEFT PREVENTION 4DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES,

APPLICATION FILED, MAR- 9, T917 v Patented Dec, 11.1917.

1,249,798. l l 5 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

T. W. IVICNALLY, JII. TVHEF'T PREVENTION DEVICEy FORAUTOIVIOBILES.APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9. |917.

IIMQWWI .PatenIed Dee. 11,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2b AIIORIIEYSJ;

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'Nlllllilfi STATES PATENTE* FFE.

THMAS W'. LVIGNALLY, JR., 0F NEWARK, JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0OLIVER DYSON, OF KEARNEY, NEW JERSEY.

Trierer-PREVENTION Device non aurononrnns.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patentd Dec. 11, 1917.

Application lel March 9, 1917. Serial No. 153,567.

To all 107mm t may concern.'

Be it known that I, THOMAS W. MCNALLY, Jr., a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useiul Improvements in'.Fhet-FreVention Devices :lior Automobiles; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

The present invention relates, generally, to improvements intheft-prevention devices for automobiles, motorcycles, and the like; andtheinvention has reference, more par ticularly, toa simple, cheap, andeasily manipulated. device, adapted to be associated with the Statelicense plate with which all motor vehicles are required to be equipped,and which, when in operative use, conceals the license plate and exposesa warning inscription or sign indicating that the vehicle is beingoperated or used by someone not having proper authority from the owner.

rllie invention has for its principal object to provide a noveltheft-prevention device adapted to be associated with the State licenseplate on a motor vehicle, in such a way, that it may be manipulated toboth conceal the license number andat the saine time display a warninginscription or sign which will attract the attention oi policeauthorities or others to the `fact that the car or vehicle, if inmotion, is being oper'- ated without the consent of the owner, andwithout a proper display of the license num ber, as is usually legallyrequired.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a locking meansin connection *with the novel theft-prevention device which will permitof the same tobe locked or securedA in its operative condition so thatthe saine cannot be tampered with.

A further object of the present invention is to provide atheltprevention device oi such character that when the same is locked inoperative condition, it in no way prevents the operation oi the ruimingor operating mechanism of the vehicle, and consequently does notinterfere with the neces sary movement ci' the car in cases ofnecessity, such ior example, as the removal ott the vehicle trom thedanger zone oi a lire,

when the vehicle is parked in a street in which a iire breaks out.

Other objects of the present invention, not at this time moreparticularly enumer ated, will be clearly understood from the followingdetailed description of the same. With the various objects of thepresent invention in view, the same consists, primarily, in the noveltheft-prevention device hereinafter set forth; and the inventionconsists, furthermore, in the novel arrangements and combinations oi theseveral devices and parts, as well as in the details of the constructionof the same, all of which will be more fully described in the iollowingspeciiication, and then iinally embodied in the claims appended thereto.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure l is a face view of a motor vehicle license plate equippedwith the novel theftprevention device made according to and embodyingthe principles of' my present invention, the same being shown in normalinoperative position; Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section taken on line 22 in said Fig. l looking in the direction ol the arrow m,

`and showing in dotted representation the operative position el? thetheft-prevention device; Fig. 3 is another vertical cross section takenon line `3 3 in said Fig. l, also looking in the direction of the arrowae; Fig. 1l is a face view showing the theft-prevention device in itsoperative relation to the vehicle license plate, and locked in such opeative position; and Fig. 5 is a detail tace view of the noveltheft-p`revention device detached h'ointhe vehicle license plate.

Fig. G is a face view Aoi a slightly modiiied construction ot `my noveltheft-prevea tion device, the same being shown in normal inoperativeposition; and Fig. 7 is a similar view shmving the theitfpreventiondevice in operative position.

Similar characters of reference are elnployed in all ot the hereinabovedescribed views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the reference character 1 indicatesa portion of the supporting bracket with which motor iielhicles areusually provided for the purn pose of securing the State license numberplate upon the vehicle. rlhe reference characterQ indicates a Statelicense number plate, inscribed with a license number 3, and secured tothe bracket l by means of bolts, rivets, screws or any other desiredform of fastening means 4.

Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive of the drawings illustrate one form ofconstruction comprising my novel theft prevention device. 1n thisconstruction l provide a journal or bearing member 5 provided with anupwardly extending perforated ear or lug G, b y means of which saidjournal or bearing member 5 may be attached to the license plate 2 withrivets, bolts or other desirable fastening means 7, so that the sameprojects downwardly from the lower left hand coi'- ner of said licenseplate 2, and extends parallel to the lower edge thereof.

rl`he reference character S indicates a second journal or bearingportion provided with upwardly extending perforated vertical strap orbar portion 9, which extends upwardly across the back of the licenseplate 2, and which is attached to the license plate with rivets, boltsor other desirable fastening means 10, so that said journalV orbearing-portion Sprojects downwardly from the lower right hand corner 0fsaid license plate 2, and extends parallel to the lower edge thereof. n

The perforations of the respective ear or lug 6 and strap or bar-portion9, are preferably in the form of laterally disposed slots 11, so thatadjustment of the said parts relative to the perforations usuallyprovided in State license number plates may be easily accomplished toregister said slots 11 therewith to quickly and easily permit of thefastening means being passed therethrough.

The said vertical strap or bar-portion 9 is longer Jthan the width ofthe license plate 2, and terminates in a tongue-portion 12 provided withan opening 13, for purposes presently to be described.

`Extending through and between the respective journal orbearing-portions 5 and 8 is a pintle-rodor hinge-pin 14. Pivotallysupported upon said pintle-rod or hinge-pin 1-lby means of ahinge-knuckle 15 is a signal-plate 16, one face of which is inscribedwith a warning signal or stop-notice 17, such, for example, as Stop thiscar if in motion 0r any other suitable and appropriate signal ph 'asePreferably said hingeknuckle 15 is cut away, as at 18, to allow the sameboth to straddle said journal or bearing-portion S, and to provide foran exposed portion yof the pintle-rod or hinge-pin 14 upon which isarranged the body of a spiral spring` 19, one arm 20 of which engagesthe license plate 2, and the other arm 21 of which engages the signalplate 16. The tension of said spring 19, when exercised upon the signalplate 1G, lends to normally maintain the saine turned back and behindthe license plate 2, and thus positioned in concealed inoperativerelation to said license plate 2.

Projecting upwardly from the free longitudinal edge of said signal platelo is u tongue-portion provided with an opening Q3, the saine being` sopositioned that when the signal plate 1G is turned to position the sameovertle face of the license plate 2, said opening Q3 registers with theopening of said tongue-portion l2 of the strap or bar portion 9.

lllhen a motor vehicle. equipped with in v novel construction oftheft-prevention device, is parked in the street er other p ihlnl place,the owner or driver. before leaving the same, turns the signal plate,lli upwardly` over the license number plate 2., lhuu roucealing thelicense number thereof, and :it the same time exposingthe w; rniugsignal or stop notice 17. The respective tongines lf2 anl 22 with theiropenings ll and Jl being: re istered together when the al plat` D 1G isthus moved to operative posilioiz, the hasp Q1 of a suitable lock tg mayhe nar-sed through the openino's land thus ing to lock and retain thesignal plato ll?. against the tension of the spring i9, in suchoperative position. lf the vehicle is driven without authority or by athief. attention is immediately attracted to the 'l'art lhat the licensenumber is concealml, which in i vll.' is unlawful, and secondly, (hewarningsigril or stop-notice 17 at once notifies police olicers orothers that the vehicle is being driven without authority, consequently4die driver may be stopped, questioned and il found attempting to stealthe vehicle is readilj.v deiected. lt will thus he appariuiJV tha( nivnovel theft prevention devia;l 'hill not' only lead to the detection andarresfy ol :i (hief, but the saine is of auch a Oliaf'aitiuznierhunically, that it does not of itsell'A prevent the movement of thestainliiui` vehii'ne, ill eircumstances render its removal necessary,as, for example, when a fire in the viciniiy olf the standing vehiclerendersy its removal neeessai-y.

rlhe forni of the. device i: .f-:fuh (had il nurv be sold independentlyand nlug.' he readily att-ached to any one of the usual or ordinaryforms of license number plaies.

Referring now to Figs. G and T of the aecompanying drawings, l haveillurlral'ed therein a slightly inodilied eousriuttiou ot my noveltheft-provention device. in this construction, l provide a journal orhearingpor'tion 26 having); :i perl'orue lug 2T l'or se curing the sainelo the ln'zu-ltet l. and l also provide a second journal orl:earing-portion 2S provided with an upwardly extending bar Q9perforated for attaifhnxent to said bracket 1, and a downwardlyextending bar Sil lll

integree 30. lhe` upper free end of said bar 29 terminates in ailaterally and outwardly ex tending arm or tongue 3l having an eye oropening 32 near its end, and, in like manner, the lower tree end of saidbar 30` terminatos in a laterally and outwardly extending arm or tongue33 having an eye or opening Bil near its end. The reference character B5indicates a pintle-rod or hinge-pin which extends through and issupported by the respective journal or bearing-portions QG and 28.Pivotally supported upon said pintle-rod or hinge-pin 35, by` means ofits hinge-knuckle 36, is a signal-plate 37. tending outwardly from theend of said signal-plato 37 is a tongue or lng 38 having an opening oreye 39. Secured upon one lace ot said signalplate 37 by means ot rivets,bolts or other desirable form of fastening means 40, is a license numberplate Llll having inscribed thereon the usual license number 42.inscribed upon the opposite face ol the signal plate 37 is a suitableWarning signal or stop-notice a3. Normally the signal plate 37 ismaintained in such position as to expose properly the license plate al,in which case the tongue or lug 38, with its opening or eye 39, isregistered With the arm or tongue 33 and its eye or opening 34, so thatthe hasp la of a suitable lock l5 may be secured through said registeredeyes, thus retaining the parts in such normal position. llhen the driveror owner leaves the vehicle standing, the lock 45 is released, and thesignal plate 37 is swung upward to turn the same over, thus concealing`the license number and exposing the Warning signal or stop notice 43, inwhich case the tongue or lug 38, With its opening or eye 39, isregistered With the arm or tongue 3l and its eye 32, so that the hasp i4of said loolr 45 niay be secured through the registered eyes, thuslocking the parts :in operative position, thus providing for thetheft-prevention and detection results already above described.

While l have shown a detachable looking means for the signal plate inboth of the above described constructions, l do not Wish myselfunderstood as limiting my invention to such means, since any lookingmeans of either permanent or detachable character may be employed tohold the signalplate without departing from the scope oit my presentinvention.

l am also a are that some changes may be made in the variousarrangements and combinations ol the several devices and parts of mydevice, as Well as in the details otl the construction of the same,Without departing from the scope of my present inventiou as defined inthe appended claims. llenen, l do not limit my invention to the exactarrangei'ncnts and combinations of the various devices and parts as set:torth in the foregoing specification, nor do I confine myself to theexact details of the construe tion of said parts t.; illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

l. In a device of the hind described, a pivoted signal plate adaptedwhen suf'ung to one position to display a State license number, and1when swing to another position to conceal said State license number anddisplay a stop notice or warning, and ineanstor looking said signalplate in either one or the other position.

ln a device ot the hind described, the combination with a @tato license:number plate oit bearing portions secured thereto, a hinge-pinextending through said bearing portions, a signal plate pivoted uponsaid hinge-pin having inscribed upon one face a stop notice or warning,said signalplate being adapted to he turned over the face of saidlicense plate to conceal the license number and to display said stopnotice or Warning, and means for locking said signal plate in suchopentive position, comprising a vertical strap portion extendingupwardly from one bearing portion and secured to the bach oit saidlicense plate, a tongue portion provided with an eye con nected with theupper end olf' said strap portion so as to project beyond the edge oisaid license plate, said signal plate having a tongue portion providedwith an eye adapt ed to register with said lirst mentioned tongueportion and its eye, and alockmechanism cooperating with said registeredtongue portions to retain the same together.

3. In a device of the kind described, the combination with a Statelicense number plate of bearing portions secured to the lower marginaledge thereof, a hinge-pin iA extending through said bearing portions, asignal plate pivoted upon said hingepin having inscribed upon one tace astop notice or warning, said signal plate having a cutaway portion inits pivoted edge adapted to disclose a portion of said hinge-pin, acoiled spring mounted on said exposed portion of said hingepin having apair of spring arms, one ot said spring arms being adapted to engagesaid license plate and the other oli said spring arms being adapted toengage said signal plate, the tension of said coiled spring tending tomaintain said signal plate in normal inoperative position,

said signal plate being adapted to be turned over the tace of saidlicense plate to conceal the license number and to display said stopnotice or Warning, and means for locking said signal plate in suchoperative position.

1l. In a device olE the kind described, the combination with a Statelicense .number plate of bearing portions secured to the lower marginaledge thereol, a hinge-pin ext-,ending through said bea-ring portions, asignal plate pivoted upon said hinge-pin llO having inscribed upon oneface a stop notice or Warning, said signal'plate having acutaway portionin its pivoted edge adapted to disclose a portion of said hinge-pin, acoiled spring mounted on said exposed portion of said hinge-pin having apair of spring arms, one'of said spring arms being adapted to engagesaid license plate and the other of said spring arms being adapted toengage said signal plate, the tension of said coiled spring tending tomaintain said signal plate in normal inoperative position, said signalplate being adapted to be turned over the face of said license plate toconceal the license number and to display said stop notice or Warning,and means for locking-said signal plate in such operative position,`comprising a Vertical strap portion extending anliegen upwardly from onehearing portion and secured to the back oi said license plate, a tongueportion provided with an eye connectedivith the upper end ol said strapportion so as to project bevond the edge oil. said license plate, saidsignal plate having a tongue portion provided ivith an eye adapted toregister `vith said iirst mentioned tongue portion and its eye. and aloekn1ecl1a nisin cooperating with said registered tongue portions toretain the saine together,

In testimony, that l claim the invention set forth above l have hereuntoset my hand this 6th da).7 of March, '17917.

'THOMAS lV. MCNALLY, Jn. 1Witnesses FRED C. l `in\r.N'rzuI Fnnoii H. lV.Fimnn'rznn.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C.

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